Bear Pak offers safe, reliable childcare for all children in a warm, energising environment.

Set up in 1994 by a group of parents seeking to create affordable childcare in the local community, they remain committed to the same principle.

Their role as a not-for-profit organisation steers them towards the needs of the children and families, as they maintain a unique focus on delivering affordable childcare for the local community.

Bear Pak acts as a lifeline for many Penarth parents who have children aged three to 11 years old. Registered with Care Inspectorate Wales, Bear Pak strives to create an inclusive and accessible setting for children with a variety of different needs.

Parents tell staff they value the trust, affordability and personal approach that Bear Pak offers.

In term-time, Bear Pak serves as an after-school and wraparound club, collecting children from most of Penarth’s primary schools.

Laura Williams, the managing director, hopes that children attending Bear Pak will take away confidence, independence, friendships and lots of happy memories.

She said: “We want children to discover things they enjoy, have the confidence to try something new and learn how to build friendships with children they might not normally spend time with.

“One of the benefits of bringing children together from different primary schools is that they can develop friendships beyond their own school.

“This can be particularly valuable when they move to secondary school, as they may already know children from other local primary schools, making that transition feel a little less daunting.

In addition, throughout the 6-week break, a noteworthy challenging period for working parents, Bear Pak offers a great childcare option, tailored to suit diverse family circumstances.

Regular trips and special event days are organised throughout the summer to offer the children exciting new experiences to look forward to every week, while parents can be reassured their children are sufficiently entertained.

Additionally, eligible families can also access 30 hours of funded childcare, helping to ease the financial burden on parents.